In 2012 New York City is on pace to have its least lethal year in ages. With only one more month left in the year, there have been 366 murders in NYC, compared to last year, which saw 472 by this time.

You didn’t have to see these numbers to realize that New York has become a safer city. With that being said, the news that on Monday there were no shootings and stabbings was shocking.

New York has come a long way; here are some of the neighborhoods that have made the most drastic changes.

Harlem

During the crack era of the late ’80s and early ’90s, Harlem was one of the most crime and drug-ridden neighborhoods in New York. This is no more: real estate in the area has been booming. Hell, even Pleasant Avenue, which was once Mob-heavy, now has a Target. How nice.

Lower East Side

The LES in the ’80s was one of Manhattan’s toughest areas. Now the area is known for its art scene, the boutique shops, expanding real estate and diverse population.

Red Hook

In 1990, Life Magazine named Red Hook, Brooklyn one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in the United States. It’s hard to say that now. Crime has dropped considerably and it has become one of the most vibrant neighborhoods in NYC.

Bushwick

For those who’ve been to Bushwick and one of their coffee shops recently, the picture of a destroyed Bushwick, Brooklyn (like the one above) is shocking. But for years the neighborhood was in the pits.

Grand Concourse

When the South Bronx was at its worst, presidents like Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan went to the borough to show that the government hadn’t forgotten about area, which at the time, was one of the worst in the country. South Bronx, and the Grand Concourse in particular, has come a long way since those days.

Times Square

Times Square is currently the tourist capital of the world. But back in the ’80s, before Mayor Rudy Giuliani cleaned things up, midtown Manhattan was the smut capital of the world. On every corner there were peep shows, prostitutes and pimps.